The USDA food plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. (thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost and liberal-cost) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) utilizes the thrifty level of the USDA food plans. Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.
This year, we decided to use the Official USDA Plans: Cost of Food Reports to guide our food budget this year at the thrifty level.
December 2022 Report
Per Week
Male (14-18) = $68.90
Male (51-70) = $64.20
Female (51-70) = $57.70
Total = $190.80/Week or $954.00
Week 1:
Aldi: $51.74
Meijer: $0.49
Kroger: $81.48
Total: $128.41
NOTE-
1- Click on the picture and get a link to a post sharing the recipe.
2- Although all prices were correct at the time of the blog postings, the current cost of preparation of these dishes may be higher due to inflation and/or location.
Cost Saving Tip of the Week:
Sunday Prepping
A little bit of preparation goes a long way in keeping us away from eating out and/or getting takeout. This may look like freezing leftovers and pulling them out once or twice a month for a quick meal or taking an hour on Sunday to pre-cut vegetables, meal plan and pre-cook breakfasts.
Here is what we did this week to make our week easier:
Meal Planned for busy days such as Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Cut up Vegetables
Pre-pack Lunches
Cinnamon Rolls **
Chocolate Croissants **
Breakfast Options:
Complementary Breakfast Bar
Sausage, Omelets
Waffles, Oatmeals
Muffins, bagels
Monday
Cheese Steak
Fries
** We were able to purchase a large Cheese Steak and split it in two at a fraction of the price of two small Cheese Steaks.
Tuesday
** We took advantage of a 2 for $24.00 deal at Applebee's. This provided us with an appetizer to share and 2 smaller sized meals. This was perfect for my husband and me.
** They were running a special on gift cards which we took advantage of and was able to get $20.00 in gift cards for another day for no additional cost.
Wednesday
Pizza w/ Friends
** PA has the best pizza shops. It was wonderful.
Thursday
Outback Steakhouse
** This was our big holiday splurge. Our friends wanted to eat here and we happily agreed. This is one of my son’s favorite places to eat→ AHHHH the bread and steak.
** Order water with lemon instead of a beverage that costs money. This will save you about $4.00 per person.
Friday
** We had snacks to eat on the way home from our trip to PA which saved us from eating at fast food places. In addition, we brought soda and planned on arriving at home in time to make a quick dinner of Kielbasa, peppers, onions and sides.
Saturday- New Year’s Eve
Appetizers
Salad w/ Beef
Sunday- New Year's Day
Smoked and BBQ Pork Chops
Rice
Broccoli
Salad
M- Pasta
T- Mississippi Pot Roast
W- Beef Taco
Th- Sandwiches
Fri- Pizza
Sat- Pork Chops
Sun- Soup
* Indicate that the recipe is a new one for our family.
If you are interested in last week’s Menu Plan, the link is below.
What is your meal plan for this week?
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